2025 Provence-inspired Holiday Shopping Guide: Products We Love

As December approaches, the countdown to holiday shopping begins. In our 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide and Our Provençal Marketplace, we have gathered some of our favourite creators from Provence and beyond. Please continue reading to explore our curated collection of authentic Provençal gifts that will bring warmth and fragrance to your holiday season.

These Provence-inspired home, fashion, and self-care products showcase unique craftsmanship and traditional materials, making them perfect holiday gifts for lovers of French culture.

Disclaimer: Some of these products contain affiliate links. As an affiliate partner, Perfectly Provence earns commissions from qualifying purchases. However, this does not affect the price you pay. Your support helps us continue providing high-quality content. Thank you for supporting Perfectly Provence!

Christmas in Provence

Christmas in Provence exudes charm with its rustic beauty, lively markets, and delicious cuisine. Whether you seek unique stocking fillers, gourmet treats, or handcrafted decorations, Provençal items bring warmth and a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to your celebrations.

The festive season in Provence spans two months, blending old traditions with commercial elements. Enjoy vin chaud, little saints (santons), thirteen desserts, holiday markets, and small pots of wheat. Discover more about Christmas traditions in Provence in our festive guide.

CRT Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur ©Kessler G

Fragrant Treasures from Provence

Lavender blooms briefly in Provence, peaking in early July and harvested by mid-August, attracting numerous visitors. During the off-peak season, explore other lavender sites in Provence, including distillers and museums, to learn about the cultural significance of this iconic flower.

Lavender Essentials

Lavender is a symbol of Provence. Sachets filled with dried lavender make great stocking fillers, while lavender essential oils and pillow sprays provide soothing aromatherapy. Lavender-infused soaps and moisturizers are excellent additions to gift baskets, serving as a gentle reminder of summer fields, even in the depths of winter.

The “Aix-en-Provence Lavender Box” from Remember Provence features a delightful selection of lavender products: Savon de Marseille, lavender sachets, lavender honey, and a beautiful hand towel.

Canadian Culinary Lavender  — Sourced from 100% pure Lavandula angustifolia buds at the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm in British Columbia. Its delicate flavour and floral notes make it ideal for baking, infusions, and herbal blends.

Photo ©Virginie Ovessian

Elsa Lenthal, founder of Fuseaux de Lavande de Provence, began making lavender wands as a summer job and has turned it into a full-time business promoting an old Provençal tradition. These fuseaux are crafted with fresh lavender flowers and decorated with colourful ribbons. Shaped like spindles or rattles, they can last a lifetime. Explore her selection of lavender fuseaux, scented candles, relaxation pillows, and more.

Artisanal Perfumes from Grasse

Located just north of the Mediterranean, Grasse is famous as the perfume capital, where master perfumers create fragrances from locally grown flowers such as rose, jasmine, and orange blossom, making these products a luxurious holiday gift option.

©Marta and Antoine KONOPKA

In 2026, Fragonard Parfumer will celebrate its 100th anniversary. With three factories along the French Riviera, including its original site in Grasse, Fragonard is dedicated to high-quality products made from the finest ingredients. While its range now includes soaps, skincare, and home gifts, perfume remains a truly special gift.

Who doesn’t adore Dior? Many famous perfumes come from Grasse, including Dior. Christian Dior, a renowned fashion designer and perfumer, created the iconic Miss Dior, featuring jasmine and May rose. The House of Dior maintains its legacy by working with local flower growers.

Coco Chanel commissioned perfumer Ernest Beaux to create Chanel No. 5 in 1921, capturing the essence of the modern woman with floral notes and aldehydes. Launched on May 5, 1921, it became a groundbreaking symbol of luxury and elegance in the history of fragrance.

In the first chapter of The Perfumer’s Secret, Alexandra “Zandy” Watson sits in her boss’s office in New York City. The reader quickly gets a sense of her character. Zandy is a determined, aspiring documentary filmmaker working on a project titled “Your Climate, Your Change.” She has just three minutes to pitch her story about how everyone can contribute to saving the planet. Her boss has a different plan.

Gourmet Delights from Provence

Olive Oils and Tapenades

Provence’s sunny olive groves yield exceptional oils with grassy and peppery flavours. Look for high-quality extra-virgin olive oil in attractive packaging, and consider flavoured oils, such as basil or truffle, for your holiday dishes. Don’t forget tapenades, which make a great addition to your charcuterie boards!

Guide: Alpilles Olive Oil Producers

©Perfectly Provence

Who wants to show up to a dinner party without a gift? Consider an olive-themed basket featuring extra-virgin olive oil, olives cassées (a specialty from Provence), and black olive tapenade.

Provencal Herbs and Spices

Aromatic herb blends from Provence add a unique Mediterranean flair to dishes. Consider giving small sets of Herbes de Provence, Provençal saffron, or flavoured sea salts as a sophisticated culinary gift. These items are perfect for home cooks who enjoy experimenting with new flavours.

Sweet Treats

Christmas in Provence is synonymous with indulgent sweets:

• Calissons d’Aix: delicious almond-based confections with a sweet glaze
• Chocolates: handcrafted French chocolate
• Fruit confit: fruit saturated in syrup into a candied form
• Local honeys: lavender, rosemary, and mountain honey for festive teas or cheese boards
• Nougat: the classic holiday treat, available in soft white or crunchy black varieties

Remember Provence offers delightful seasonal candy collections that make excellent hostess gifts or additions to your holiday dessert table. Try the Gourmet Provençal Chocolate box or the Luxury Christmas Desserts.

Les Treize Desserts is a Christmas tradition in Provence, celebrating the 13 participants at the Last Supper: Jesus and his 12 apostles. While there are no strict rules, the desserts typically fall into four categories: dried fruit and nuts, fresh seasonal fruit, fruit preserved in sugar syrup, and sweetened bread. Traditionally enjoyed after Christmas Eve dinner and Mass, the selection is available for three days, until December 27. You can purchase a “13 Desserts of Provence” package, inspired by this festive tradition.

Wines & Spirits from Provence

Wine and the South of France are deeply connected. Since the Greeks arrived at the French Riviera and Côte Bleue near Marseille, grapes have thrived in this unique terroir. Under Roman rule, agriculture evolved, and trade expanded from Massalia (modern Marseille). Today, Provençal rosés, Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds, and southern Rhône wines are celebrated globally. Visitors can explore vineyards and meet winemakers by choosing a Winedering experience in Provence.

Book a wine experience in Provence! Discover unique wineries in Var, Côte de Provence, near Aix-en-Provence, and Les Baux de Provence. With Winedering’s exclusive partnerships, these wineries offer diverse charm and production sizes for an exceptional experience.

Distillerie des Alpilles started as a passion project and now produces artisanal pastis that reflects the spirit of St-Rémy, loved by Julien and Émilie Martinat. Named after the nearby mountain range, their signature product is Pastis Martinat.

Photo ©Distillerie des Alpilles

Handmade Crafts & Home Decor

Provençal Textiles

Vibrant tablecloths, napkins, and tea towels featuring olives, lemons, cicadas, and traditional patterns showcase Provence’s artistic heritage. Quilted “boutis” items add charm and elegance, perfect for holiday entertaining.

The Remember Provence collection embodies the essence of French country living, inspired by sun-drenched landscapes and lively markets. Each piece, from woven napkins to stylish aprons, showcases classic Provençal motifs such as lavender and sunflowers. Made from high-quality cotton and linen blends, these durable items are machine washable and tumble-dry safe.

The holidays are a perfect time for meals with friends and family, and festive table settings enhance the atmosphere. Remember Provence offers high-quality Provencal textiles in various colours and patterns, including table runners, placemats, tablecloths, and napkins, allowing you to create a beautiful table setting that ranges from playful to sophisticated. Choose a matching set or mix and match to elevate your holiday dining experience.

Ceramics and Pottery

Provence’s Mediterranean climate and fertile land are perfect for growing olives, lavender, various produce, and grapes for winemaking. The region’s clay-rich soil supports a thriving ceramics industry, where artisans blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, enhancing both local culture and the economy.

Guide: Ceramics and Pottery in Provence

Judith Philibert Ceramic Studio ©stef_kocyla

Artful Accessories

L’AUGUSTE Provence, founded in 2021, showcases the beauty of the Provencal countryside through stunning imagery. Inspired by local landscapes and traditions, the founders create appealing and practical accessories from watercolour paintings. Their products combine luxurious materials, elegant designs, and skilled craftsmanship, capturing the essence of Provence.

The company’s handcrafted accessories are made in the South of France and feature contemporary watercolour designs that showcase the region. Discover the L’AUGUSTE Provence brand story and beautiful accessory collection.

Luxury Candles

Rose et Marius is a luxury perfume and home décor brand based in Aix-en-Provence. Founded by Magali Fleurquin-Bonnard, the brand’s designs are inspired by her childhood memories at the family country home. They collaborate with skilled artisans and produce 90% of their creations in Provence. In 2021, Rose and Marius received the title of Craftsmen of Art, honouring their exceptional artisanal collections and dedication to French craftsmanship. Explore the Rose et Marius fragrance from Aix-en-Provence.

©Rose et Marius

The “Summer Night in Provence” fig-scented candle brings a touch of the South of France to your space. Handmade in France as part of the Lux candle collection by French Address, it features Grasse-sourced fragrances and is made with 100% natural wax, offering a burn time of 60 hours.

©French Address

Christmas Santons

The traditional French nativity scene, rooted in Provençal customs, originated in Italy. In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi created the first living nativity in Greccio, inviting villagers to participate. This event marked the beginning of a cherished custom in which, at Christmas, villagers would gather in a barn to reenact the birth of Jesus with Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds, and even animals for added realism.

©Remember Provence

Santons are cherished handcrafted clay figurines featured in nativity scenes. Artisans create figures representing Provençal villagers, such as bakers and fishermen. Whether given individually or as a curated set, santons make memorable holiday keepsakes.

There are over 100 santon workshops in Provence, each with its own style. While they all share a heritage from the 18th century, many now include contemporary figures unrelated to religion, such as local rugby and football players or miners from the bauxite museum in Tourves.

Beauty & Wellness Gifts

Savon de Marseille

Savon de Marseille has a rich history that dates back several centuries. Its origins lie in the 12th century in Aleppo, Syria, where soap-making techniques were developed. These methods spread across the Mediterranean due to the Crusades. Marseille, an important trading port, became the center of large-scale soap production in the 14th century.

Authentic Savon de Marseille, made from olive oil and natural ingredients, is iconic and practical. Choose from traditional cubes, liquid soaps, or scented varieties in gift boxes. These gentle, long-lasting soaps are beautifully crafted. Shop for Savon de Marseille here.

Skincare

Provence is known for small-batch skincare makers who craft luxurious creams, balms, and body butters using local ingredients like honey, figs, almonds, and olive oil. These products are perfect gifts for those who enjoy clean, naturally fragranced beauty items.

The Remember Provence “Lavender Beauty Box” includes four 100% natural products: a floral water for cleansing and softening, an essential shower gel, lavender essential oil from Provence, and cicada soap made with shea butter and natural pigments.

Shipping in Canada only:

Rose Eye Balm: Sourced from the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm in British Columbia, this balm combines essential oils from Damask rose petals and lavender flowers, known for their healing properties and therapeutic benefits.

Rose Hip Oil: Revitalize dull skin with this vitamin-rich rosehip oil blended with lavender essential oil. Packed with essential fatty acids, it helps promote cell regeneration, fade scars, reduce under-eye puffiness, and smooth rough patches.

Gift Box Collections

The My French Country Home Box is a curated subscription service featuring artisan keepsakes from French manufacturers. Created by Sharon Santoni to connect smaller French businesses with a broader audience, the first box was shipped in February 2017. Every quarter, a themed selection of made-in-France luxury products is released, with past themes like “Summer in Provence” and “Midnight in Paris.” A limited number of these exquisite boxes are shipped worldwide each quarter.

Books: Our Reading List

We have compiled a list of books that we recommend for anyone seeking a taste of Provence. Whether you have visited the region or have always dreamed of doing so, this collection features cookbooks, guidebooks, memoirs, love stories, mysteries, and more.

Books From Provence

Shopping Tips for Authentic Provence Gifts

• Check the origin: Labels like “Made in Provence” or AOP certifications ensure authenticity.
• Support artisans: Local workshops, holiday markets, and small producers offer higher-quality items than mass retailers.
• Choose seasonal specialties: December is ideal for nougat, santons, and winter skincare.
• Consider sustainability: Many artisans prioritize organic farming, natural materials, and low-waste packaging.

In Provence, the Christmas season is filled with warmth, fragrance, and craftsmanship. Gifting lavender, local pottery, or gourmet sweets from vibrant markets allows you to share a piece of this enchanting region. We hope that our gift guide captures the spirit of Provence—sunlit, aromatic, and generous.

Full day Bandol & Cassis Discovery Wine Tour from Marseille

Begin your journey in the medieval village of Le Castellet, perched elegantly atop a wooded hill overlooking lush vineyards. Next, venture into the renowned Bandol wine region.

Book this Experience

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).